T116 Sense of Place, Geoparks and National Parks: Strategies for Improved Earth Science Education (Posters)

Monday, 10 October 2011
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Hall C

A SENSE OF PLACE AT SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE - IMPROVING TEACHERS' EARTH SCIENCE LITERACY = IMPROVING STUDENTS' EARTH SCIENCE LITERACY

Paper number: T116-6
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

MiTEP is an NSF funded Math Science Partnership that partners Michigan Technological University with urban school districts in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Jackson. The goal is to improve earth science literacy for teachers, that in turn will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and inquiry to students. A further stakeholder in this partnership is the National Parks Service. Teachers are paired with Midwest national parks in Michigan for 3-6 week internships. We present our experiences at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

During this three-week internship, attention was given to obtaining a sense of place; acquiring geologic knowledge of this specific area; and creating ideas to use in the classroom. This paper provides descriptions and also evidences acquired learning, ideas for use in the classroom, and how Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore embedded a strong sense of geologic history, culture, and place into this participant. A sentiment our cohort wishes to instill in our students alike. This paper presents the results of our internship experiences at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.